Five things to know about the New Orleans Saints on Thursday, August 1

Practice will be closed to the public today.

1. Practice will be held in the indoor facility, meaning it will be closed to the public. Friday’s practice, originally scheduled to be closed, will now be open to the public. Practice will begin at 8:50 a.m. Gates will open 45 minutes prior to the start of practice.

2. The Saints Black and Gold scrimmage will take place Saturday from 8:50 a.m. to 11 a.m. Admission is free but it is first come, first serve.

3. Read what John DeShazier had to say about wide receiver Nick Toon and his training camp performance so far.

4. Sarah Thomas, a member of the NFL ’s Officiating Development Program, is working Thursday’s Saints practice. Thomas is a finalist to become a permanent NFL game official. Should she accomplish this feat, she would become the first woman official.